Personality Disorders Overview

Study Notes

Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by rigid and unhealthy patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
These patterns are inflexible and persistent, causing distress and impairment in personal and social relationships.

Rigidity and inflexibility: Personality disorders involve rigid patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are resistant to change.
Impulsivity: Many individuals with personality disorders exhibit impulsive behaviors, such as substance abuse or reckless spending.
Emotional dysregulation: People with personality disorders often struggle with managing their emotions, leading to mood swings and intense emotional responses.
Interpersonal difficulties: Personality disorders can lead to difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships.

Psychotherapy: Various forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), can be effective in treating personality disorders.
Medications: In some cases, medications like antidepressants or mood stabilizers may be prescribed to help manage symptoms associated with personality disorders.
Lifestyle changes: Encouraging healthy habits, such as regular exercise and stress management, can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Personality disorders are characterized by rigid and unhealthy patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
These patterns cause distress and impairment in personal and social relationships.

The DSM-5 recognizes 10 distinct personality disorders, grouped into three clusters.
Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric) includes: • Paranoid personality disorder • Schizoid personality disorder • Schizotypal personality disorder
Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic) includes: • Borderline personality disorder • Histrionic personality disorder • Narcissistic personality disorder • Antisocial personality disorder
Cluster C (Anxious or Fearful) includes: • Avoidant personality disorder • Dependent personality disorder • Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Rigidity and inflexibility are hallmark features of personality disorders.
Impulsivity is a common trait, leading to behaviors like substance abuse or reckless spending.
Emotional dysregulation is a key characteristic, causing mood swings and intense emotional responses.
Interpersonal difficulties are a common consequence of personality disorders.

Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), can be effective in treating personality disorders.
Medications like antidepressants or mood stabilizers may be prescribed to manage symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and stress management, can alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.